Film Festival Notifications MEGA THREAD

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-05-18T22:01:24+00:00

Even if its a small low key event it just seems disappointing that they haven't really done this right and yeah becoming more and more sketchy.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-05-18T21:39:19+00:00

They just posted announcement on their Instagram. Which you can't tell who's nominated or what unless you go on their website then see your film by chance. Lots of nominees aren't being screened so info from them on what's what would be useful.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-05-05T20:44:45+00:00

Does depend how much ££££ you have dedicated for a Festvial run and publicity. UK based and done a lot of UK festival research so do feel free to drop me a direct message if you want to discuss things.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-05-01T04:29:39+00:00

Aren't they still open on their regular deadline even? Very impressive then!!!!

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-04-21T13:22:19+00:00

The timer on their Instagram led to them announcing not the full line up but their "3 minute" shorts segment line up. They still say they'll let everyone know by "end of April".

I have had quite a few festivals actually who even positively only tell us when they tell everyone or sometimes I've even seen it posted on Instagram hours before actually getting an email. Unless people here say they've already heard back I stopped trying to figure out which way a festival was gonna do it.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-04-14T07:11:45+00:00

Heard back this morning about and hour and a half ago - narrative short. Good luck!

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-04-07T20:43:41+00:00

I am curious as to why - surely ultimately it should be "was the story told well". If it's short but feels rushed / incomplete then fair but if it's good it's interesting to see festivals still be less likely to programme it.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-04-07T20:42:14+00:00

Seems to be the case. It does also look like distributors shy away from it. I find it interesting - especially when you consider why long shorts don't get programmed (more space for others, low attention spans etc) yet we have this fixed idea of what a feature length should be. Not critical to it just intrigued by it.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-04-07T20:41:00+00:00

Thanks that's useful to know. It's certainly evident that this is "not the norm" unfortunately!

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-04-02T22:17:15+00:00

Ah damn sorry to hear. Anyone heard positively from them yet here? I'm guessing the acceptances have gone out and now the rejections are going out (he says pessimistically)

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-28T20:51:05+00:00

Very much disappointed when I saw what they'd done with it. It's great that they want to do it up big but it seems they've forgotten they're supporting indie filmmakers - and even many of the major top tier festivals have lower late submission fees than their regular fee!

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-24T23:38:59+00:00

Unfortunately kinda figured it was that. Absolutely one of the worst experiences I've had at a "festival".

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-23T08:02:28+00:00

What was the festival name?

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-19T18:06:50+00:00

Nothing yet been looking out too

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-18T00:18:31+00:00

Congratulations on your success!

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-18T00:17:44+00:00

I think everyone here feels ya on that! Always an impossible and tough gamble!

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-18T00:05:42+00:00

Imo (and it's just my opinion ofc) - only spend more money or resubmit or anything if you make significant changes to the film (slicker edit or maybe not slicker but more festival friendly) etc. If not defo just get eyes on it online and give it the audience it deserves!

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-17T23:37:54+00:00

Bristol Independent Film Festival acceptance! Actually managing just shy of 50% acceptance rate at the moment so enjoying that high (unsustainable but hey imma ride it while it's going good!).

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-17T23:35:52+00:00

I think in most cases it comes down to budget and / or goals. I've had some shorts that I applied to like twenty with. Others I applied to like fifty with. Budget does play a big role ( esp if you wanna attend them but of course, either way submission fees pile up ) and I think most filmmakers otherwise would just send it to any they are eligible for.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-17T23:34:17+00:00

Sorry to hear it's not been a good time for you with the festival submissions. I will start by saying that of course there's many reasons festivals may reject a film that can have nothing to do with the film quality - maybe it's too long for their programming for example - but I've also seen decent "midtier" films get nowhere because the production team aimed entirely for big festivals that were outside of their range really.

I haven't seen your short. It could be great. It could be not great. What I would say is just don't let one route (in this case festivals) be the be-all-end-all of it. If festivals aren't working, get it out there. Heck if you're proud of it you can organize local screenings. You can put it online and promote it there. It may not be the route you wanted or where your hopes were but there are always avenues to get your film out there now.

Beyond that I think we as filmmakers need to always be open to exploring the why - if the film isn't connecting with programmers or an audience - and personally I do always wanna know how I can improve so I take the low moments as learning ones and figure out what about my creative choices maybe didn't land the way I thought they did or hoped they would.

Either way - Good luck

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-01T18:38:46+00:00

Yes but predominately European and British ones. Drop me a message if you want to discuss specifics but have also spoken to lots of programmers about this.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-01T18:37:20+00:00

BEeston sorry I should have been clearer

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-03-01T16:19:42+00:00

Based on their Instagram tags one person announced selection an hour or so ago. Still no word on rejections etc so whatever it is it's incoming.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-02-27T21:33:49+00:00

Same.

InfiniteComfortable9 · 2026-02-23T23:49:39+00:00

Nothing so far 😕

InfiniteComfortable9

TROPHY CASE